A YEAR after it was slammed for not having strong enough corporate leadership, Conwy County Council has received a pat on the back from the Wales Audit Office for keeping its accounts in good order.

In its 2005 report on how the council runs its business, the audit office criticised senior management for not keeping a tight enough hold on the reins.

But since then the council has made a number of changes to its systems, and the results have pleased auditor George Jones.

“The council has responded well to our concerns. It is clear that a robust review of the effectiveness of the systems of internal control has been conducted and the results are reflected in the annual statement of assurance for 2005/06 which highlighted no significant internal control problems,” he said.

He explained the council had managed its spending well, with net expenditure of around £152m, which was broadly in line with its original budget, and within the available income.

The council’s head of finance Andrew Kirkham said he was pleased with the auditor’s report.

“The report is positive and reflects well on Conwy County Council,” he said.